Cheapass faster steering ratio idea??

[jdbubb@ix.netcom.com (Dan Bubb)]

This reminds me of old Gustav Messmer, my statics and dynamics prof at
college.
We'd be looking at the load or motion between two pivot points and people
would get confused by the shape of the piece between the points. Messmer
always said, " the shape of the structure doesn't matter. We can put a
potato between the points and the load and motion are the same."
It's the potato part that stuck with me.
You haven't changed the location of the pivots. The shape of the structure
between the pivots doesn't matter.
No change in ratio or effort.
Dan

----- Original Message -----
From: Ron Pieper <rapieper@yahoo.com>
To: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2002 7:54 AM
Subject: Cheapass faster steering ratio idea??


> OK...this morning's brainflash, waiting for y'all to applaud or condemn
> it...
>
> Follow me here...
> A2 outer tie rod ends are a bit different than A1's.  They are not
> straight, there is a bend built into them after the female thread.
> Thus, there are left and right A2 outer tie rod ends.  (Sorry I don't
> have a picture).  Installed, the tie rod ends are oriented so that,
> from the top, the extended line of the tie rod passes behind the
> tapered hole in the arm of the hub carrier.  With me so far?
>
> Of course, on A1 cars, this doesn't matter since there is no bend...the
> extended line of the tie rod passes *through* the hole in the hub
> carrier.  This is key, because...
>
> The brainflash is to use A2 outer tie rod ends on our A1 cars...BUT use
> a left tie rod end on the right side, and vice-versa. moving the line
> of the tie rod IN FRONT of the hole in the arm on the hub carrier.
> Thus, the tie rod would apply its force on the hub carrier over a
> smaller arc, effectivley making a quicker ratio.
>
> Sooo...those who are both A1 and A2 conversant (or just brilliant),
> please provide your thoughts on this...I'll try to give it a test soon
> and look at clearancing issues, etc.
>
> Disclaimer: my assumption about A2 tie rod ends is based on some hub
> assemblies I scrounged from Daun...these might have been from his parts
> Passat...I dunno...
>
>
> =====
> Cheapass Ron
> "Victor" '87 16V Scirocco
> "Teufelhasen" '93 Cabby <-For sale
>
> If it ain't foggy, TURN OFF YOUR FOG LIGHTS.
>
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